Ok, guys, here's the deal. I just stumbled across the Gretsch Catalina 6-Piece Maple Limited Edition Kit, for $500! This might be a stupid question, but how do these match up to the Renowns, or any other kits mentioned? Because them being only $500 will bring them to me MUCH faster, and I've been hearing GREAT things about them...
Input?
I own a Cat Maple kit. I will have to say that it is one of the best sounding kits you will find
for such a small cash outlay. I am a seasoned player and play in a hard hitting rock/blues
band. Let me tell you that with the right tuning and heads, the Gretsch Catalina Maples
sound like professional level drums. This series of drums didn't enjoy such great success
by just being mediocre. It truly is the best bang for the buck out there.
Comparing them to the
Renoun maple..well there are some differences. The Renouns are
marketed and well recieved as a
professional level kit while the
Catalina Maple is in the
semi pro, working drummers kit.
The main difference is the grade of maple used in the shell construction;
Catalina Maple = Asian Maple / Renoun = American rock maple (denser)
Both kits are manufactured in the Gretsch factorys in Taiwan and China where the quality
is high but production costs are low.
Another difference in the shells are the
30 degree edges cut on the
Renouns (warmer
and rounder tone) and the
Catalinas with a
45 degree bearing edge for a sharper attack.
Renouns also have a
silver sealer (painted) shell interior. Catalinas have natural unfinished
interiors. The hoops on the
Renouns are
solid die-casts (super stiff) and the
Catalinas are
fitted with
2.5mm tri flange ( ridgidity but with some flex) I actually prefer the 2.5mm triple
flange hoops to the die cast for the toms as I think that the die casts can actually rob a
drum of some of its resonance.
Gretsch has got it going on with their offshore instruments! The Renouns are fabulous
sounding kits. But my choice was the Catalina Maples for the outstanding build quality,
sound to dollar ratio. Either kit is a great choice! The Cat Maples could easily be used in a
pro setting. I am playing semi pro now and I love this kit!!!
GRETSCH for the WIN!!!